MONROE - The steel framework went up Friday along Interstate 75 at Solid Rock Church, signaling the return of the iconic Jesus statue that fried after it was zapped by lightning last year.

The original statue - jokingly known as "Big Butter Jesus" or "Touchdown Jesus" because it appeared to rise mid-waist from the pond with hands stretched overhead - will be replaced by a 50-foot full-body sculpture of Christ with his arms outstretched.

The statue was designed by Oakley sculptor Tom Tsuchiya, who works out of Essex Studios in Avondale. Tsuchiya also designed the sculpture of Reds catcher Johnny Bench that will be unveiled Saturday in front of the Baseball Hall of Fame at Great American Ball Park.

The steel frame was hauled in on flatbed trucks, welded together at the church on North Union Road and lifted into place with a 45-ton hydraulic crane in six hours, said Tyler Schoborg, project manager with Evers Steel Construction of Colerain Township.

His company had the job of installing the steel frame, which was fabricated by Valley Metal Works of Reading.

It is unclear when the outer shell will go on because parts are still being manufactured. Completion date was initially set for mid-November.